Illinois lawmakers mull making Barack Obama's birthday a holiday

Illinois lawmakers have introduced three bills that would observe former President Barack Obama's birthday as a legal holiday.

All three bills are currently being debated the Illinois House and Senate, ABC7 Chicago reports.

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Obama was born in Hawaii calls the Aloha state his home, but lived in Illinois for much of his adult life and served as U.S. senator for the state before becoming president. He also met former first lady Michelle Obama in Illinois, not far from where she was born.

If the two House bills are passed and signed into law, state offices and schools would be closed on Aug. 4, Obama's birthday, and businesses would have the option to close.

The Senate bill, however, details plans for a commemorative day that would not mandate the closing of schools or offices.

If signed into law, the House legislation would mark the first time a living president was ever honored with a legal holiday in Illinois. It would also be the first new state holiday Illinois has seen in 40 years.

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The two House bills were proposed by Representatives Andre Thapedi and Sonya Harper, both Democrats.

"He should be honored — he's basically an Illinoisan," Thapedi told reporters Monday.

Harper added that she believes that the 44th president was one of the greatest of her lifetime and should therefore be afforded the honor of a state holiday.

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